Reader review: PicoScope four channel standard kit

Midlands garage gives oscilloscope kit full five-stars thanks to wealth of free Pico Automotive support resources

Reader review: PicoScope four channel standard kit
Jim Kelman and his son, pleased to get their hands on the PicoScope four channel standard kit for GW Views.

Reviewing the PicoScope four channel standard kit for GW Views is Jim Kelman of Cottage Garage in West Bromwich.

The PicoScope four channel standard kit comes complete with a variety of accessories to allow virtually all the components on modern vehicles to be tested and works with existing workshop computers or laptops.

It’s a kit that Jim Kelman was recommended to try after struggling with other oscilloscope diagnostic equipment in the past.

Taking the guesswork out of diagnostics

He said: “Once you get grips with it, oscilloscopes go into much greater depth and takes the guess work out of the job.

“The majority of mechanics might try replacing a suspect sensor in the hope that the old one was at fault but this can be costly for the customer and time consuming for ourselves.

“Without doubt, oscilloscope diagnostics is a profitable investment for workshops but that’s not to say it will earn you profit overnight.

“You need to put the effort in and learn how to use it and as you gain experience, the easier it will become.”

Jim’s not the only one to have struggled with oscilloscopes in the past.

A PicoScope Automotive spokesperson told GW: “Many technicians know that a diagnostic scope is a must have tool, but are worried they’ll be too difficult to use.

“The truth is if you are confident using multimeters and scan tools, you will have no problem learning to use PicoScope.”

At the age of 63, Jim confesses that he’s not the most-computer literate mechanic but, with a wealth of PicoScope support material, he’s optimistic that he’ll soon get to grips with it.

Free support resources

“The kit is supplied with user manuals to get you going and then there’s some very good online training available too,” he explained.

“There’s a waveform library, which shows how the waveform should look when the component is working correctly – so it’s a really useful resource when trying to understand what’s happening.

“There’s also a network of technicians online sharing where you can look up and add your own problem jobs.”

The PicoScope manual guides technicians through the step-by-step process of installing the PicoScope and making the first measurement of battery voltage.

From here, Pico Automotive’s guided tests show how to test the common components on vehicles and online training, case studies and video guides ensure users gain a comprehensive understanding.

“Pico Automotive has got this right”

Jim added: “In my mind, Pico Automotive has got this right and offers so much more than just the kit itself.

“It’s widely known that Pico is the go-to brand for oscilloscope diagnostics.

“Even Frank Massey uses the PicoScope, so that says it all.”

Concluding his initial review with a five-star rating, Jim said: “I’m still a novice to the PicoScope but i’m finding it to be a very interesting learning curve.”

Jim has agreed to report back later this year with some examples of how he’s been putting his newly acquired skills to use in his workshop.

For further information about Pico Automotive, select ‘more details’ below.

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